{"id":3988,"date":"2025-03-23T16:14:09","date_gmt":"2025-03-23T22:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vpzajoti4c.onrocket.site\/news\/rare-earth-mining-2\/"},"modified":"2025-05-11T09:46:39","modified_gmt":"2025-05-11T15:46:39","slug":"rare-earth-mining-2","status":"publish","type":"news-archive","link":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/news\/rare-earth-mining-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Global Overview of Active Rare Earth Element Mines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>China controls 60-70% of global rare earth mining and over 85% of processing capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key operations like the Bayan Obo mine lead in production.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Emerging rare earth projects worldwide aim to diversify global supply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Notable developments in Australia, Canada, US, and Estonia target commercial production by 2025-2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Major companies like Lynas, MP Materials, and Arafura Rare Earths are expanding rare earth extraction and processing capabilities to reduce dependence on Chinese supply.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<p><em>China remains the global heavyweight in <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/?post_type=acf-post-type&amp;p=38\" title=\"News\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"91523\">rare earth<\/a> element (REE) production, responsible for around 60\u201370% of global mining and over 85% of processing capacity. Its crown jewel is the Bayan Obo mine in Inner Mongolia, operated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.btsteel.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Baotou Steel Rare Earth Group<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>. This massive open-pit operation is the world\u2019s largest, rare earth mine, delivering large volumes of light REEs such as neodymium, praseodymium, and lanthanum, supported by integrated refining infrastructure across Inner Mongolia and southern China. In the south, <a href=\"https:\/\/platform.wirescreen.ai\/organization\/7620b340-c14e-5e9a-ae74-7a7aa411b700\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">China Southern Rare Earth Group<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> oversees ionic clay deposits across Jiangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian, critical for supplying heavy REEs like dysprosium and terbium. These clays are leached in situ and represent a more environmentally sensitive, though vital, extraction method. Also significant is the Maoniuping Mine in Sichuan Province, operated by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.minmetals.com\/english\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">China Minmetals Rare Earth Co<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>., tapping both light and heavy REE-bearing carbonatites.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The list is not exhaustive but offers an overview of key activities worldwide. \u00a0Rare Earth Exchanges is completing its \u201cProjects\u201d directory, which is part of Rare Earth Insights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Australia, <a href=\"https:\/\/lynasrareearths.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Lynas Rare Earths<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> leads with its high-grade Mt Weld Mine in Western Australia, a major neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) producer. Mined material is refined at <span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\">Malaysia's\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lynasrareearths.com\/kuantan-malaysia-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Lynas Advanced Materials Plant (<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>LAMP)<\/span>. Lynas is now expanding domestically with a new processing facility in Kalgoorlie set to open in 2025 and is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Defense on a separation plant in Texas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mpmaterials.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">MP Materials<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0operates the Mountain Pass Mine in California, the only active REE mine in the United States. Historically reliant on China for refining, the company is now advancing its own on-site separation plant to regain full supply chain control. The company recently inked a deal<\/span> with General Motors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mountain Pass focuses primarily on Nd, Pr, La, and Ce production from a carbonatite deposit and has entered Phase 2 of its vertical integration strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Russia\u2019s contribution centers on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindat.org\/loc-2697.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Lovozero Mine<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> on the Kola Peninsula, operated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.akm.ru\/eng\/news\/rosatom-received-lovozersky-gok\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">JSC Lovozersky GOK<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>. This mine extracts REEs from nepheline syenite, notably bastnaesite and loparite ores, focusing on both light REEs and niobium\/titanium byproducts. However, Western sanctions and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/news\/greenlands-frozen-promise-can-the-arctic-become-the-wests-rare-earth-refuge\/\" title=\"Greenland\u2019s Frozen Promise: Can the Arctic Become the West\u2019s Rare Earth Refuge?\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"106641\">logistical hurdles<\/a> have disrupted its role in global supply.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile, Malaysia is not known as a heavy mining country. Still, it plays a vital role as a refining hub, thanks to the LAMP facility operated by Lynas, which processes Australian concentrates into finished REE oxides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"margin: 0px;padding: 0px\"><a href=\"https:\/\/svpm.com.br\/en\/rare-earths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Serra Verde Rare Earths<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0began operations in Brazil\u00a0<\/span>in 2024, becoming the only ionic clay REE project outside China to achieve commercial scale. The project delivers key heavy REEs from clays in the country\u2019s Goi\u00e1s state, including dysprosium and terbium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Substantial Rare Earth Mines Under Construction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Several major REE projects are under development worldwide, with the aim of diversifying global supply. In Canada, the Wicheeda Project in British Columbia, owned by Defense Metals Corp., is a carbonatite-hosted LREE deposit currently in pre-feasibility. Construction is expected between 2025 and 2026, with first production by 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Estonia, Neo Performance Materials revives the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neomaterials.com\/neo-launches-construction-of-re-magnet-manufacturing-plant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Sillam\u00e4e REE refinery<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>, one of the few EU-based separation facilities. The plant is expected to restart operations in 2025 using imported feedstock, boosting Europe\u2019s rare earth independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Australia\u2019s Arafura Rare Earth Project shows promise. The Arafura Rare Earths Project, located at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arultd.com\/projects\/nolans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Nolans Bore in the Northern Territory<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>, Australia, is a major rare earth development focused on producing neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr)\u2014critical elements for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines. Operated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arultd.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Arafura Rare Earths Ltd,<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> the project is one of the few globally to integrate mine-to-oxide processing on-site, with plans to extract and refine rare earths into separated oxides for export. The deposit is primarily phosphate-hosted and includes both light and some heavy REEs. With a 38-year mine life projected, construction began in 2023, and the first production is targeted for late 2025 or early 2026, positioning it as a key non-China supply source for NdPr in the global magnet supply chain. The company just inked an \u201cex\u201d China deal with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.traxys.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Traxys<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>, a mineral trading house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Kazakhstan, via state-owned <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kazatomprom.kz\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Kazatomprom<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> and partners, is piloting REE extraction from ion-adsorption clays and uranium tailings. Commercial-scale production of light and heavy REEs is targeted for post-2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Sweden, the Norra K\u00e4rr deposit, held by <a href=\"https:\/\/leadingedgematerials.com\/eu-strategic-project-application-submitted-for-norra-karr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Leading Edge Materials<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a>, is progressing through permitting. This zircon silicate-rich resource is high in yttrium and heavy REEs but faces environmental review, with commercial output not expected until the late 2020s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Round_Top_Mountain#:~:text=Round%20Top%20Project,-Yttrium%2C%20one%20of&amp;text=The%20Round%20Top%20Project%20is,lithium%2C%20beryllium%2C%20and%20uranium.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"external-link\">Round Top Mountain Project<span class=\"sr-only\"> (opens in a new tab)<\/span><\/a> in Texas, developed by Texas Mineral Resources and USA Rare Earth, is advancing through pilot-scale separation. This rhyolite-hosted deposit is rich in heavy REEs, lithium, and gallium, with full production projected by 2026\u20132027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, Greenland\u2019s <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/news\/eu-japan-eye-greenland-rare-earths-vision-friction-and-the-map-ahead\/\" title=\"EU-Japan Eye Greenland Rare Earths: Vision, Friction, and the Map Ahead\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"105641\">Kvanefjeld Project<\/a>, owned by Energy Transition Minerals, holds vast reserves of REEs and uranium in the Il\u00edmaussaq intrusive complex. However, the project remains frozen due to environmental and political opposition, as well as pending policy changes in Greenland.<\/p>\n<span class=\"et_bloom_bottom_trigger\"><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore global rare earth mining landscapes, from China&#8217;s dominance to emerging projects in Australia, US, and beyond, reshaping the critical mineral supply chain.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"news-type":[132,122],"organization":[325,326,338,336,342],"regions":[315,318,320,322],"class_list":["post-3988","news-archive","type-news-archive","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","news-type-industrial-metals","news-type-ree-news","organization-lynas-rare-earths","organization-mp-materials","organization-neo-performance-materials","organization-serra-verde","organization-usa-rare-earth","regions-china","regions-inner-mongolia","regions-united-states","regions-western-australia"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-archive\/3988","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-archive"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news-archive"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3988"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-archive\/3988\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84561,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-archive\/3988\/revisions\/84561"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3988"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=3988"},{"taxonomy":"organization","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/organization?post=3988"},{"taxonomy":"regions","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rareearthexchanges.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regions?post=3988"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}